Avenging Angel review

I was lucky enough to win a copy of Avenging Angel by Cynthia Eden, the fourth book in Fallen series. I have been looking forward to this book ever since I finished book three, Angel in Chains, and it was definitely worth the wait!

Avenging Angel was set up in Angel in Chains so we had already met Tanner and Marna and their backstory. Tanner is a shifter from the pack that featured in Angel in Chains but he was an outcast. Marna was an angel who lost her wings but had not truly Fallen the way that the angels in the previous books had. The relationship between Tanner and Marna is quite rocky given the loss of Marna's wings and her new earthbound status. Unfortunately for Marna, she is being hunted and Tanner is one of the few beings who can protect her. Tanner wants Marna but is own issues with who and what he is have him trying to stay away despite knowing she needs him to protect her. The chemistry between them is combustible and their need to work through their issues, both with themselves and with each other, makes for a very realistic relationship despite the paranormal aspects of the book.

Another recurring character is Cody who is Tanner's half brother - he is also half shifter and half demon, a pairing that makes him particularly hated by most. He screwed up and tried to fix it but is being used by the murderer who wants Tanner to kill Cody. I wonder if he'll continue to be a supporting character moving forward or if Eden plans to give him his own book at some point. We also got to see Sam again which I enjoyed because he is one of my favorite characters from this series.

Hovering nearby through much of the book, Bastion is an Angel of Death, as Marna was before she lost her wings, and is very clearly grappling with emotions he is not supposed to feel. I suspect Bastion will be the main character in the next book in the series.

Avenging Angel was a great addition to the Fallen series and has made me hungry for more! I definitely recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys paranormal romance.

Synopsis

With a messed up family background and a tendency to grow claws and fangs, Tanner Chance isn’t exactly the boy next door. But he’s a decent cop, and he keeps himself on the side of the good guys. Convenient, because when he rescues a survivor of a horrific shifter attack he finds himself instantly smitten—with an honest-to-goodness angel, as innocent as she is irresistible.

Marna may be angelic, but she’s not stupid or weak. She can take care of herself. Tanner is more temptation than protection anyway. Or so she thinks, until someone wearing her face starts taking out some of New Orleans’ more unsavory paranormals. With police and predators both gunning for her blood, Marna has no choice but to trust Tanner…even though what’s sparking between them is hotter than anything holy.